Display device



Sept. 25, 1962 w. APATOFF ETAL 3,056,019

DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.- 25. 1957 INVENTORS: APATOFFWI LL\AM ERNEST C. G-LASSER ited States This invention relates toanimated displays and more particularly to illuminated and animateddisplay devices.

The sale of many items of commerce can be increased and enhanced if theattention of a prospective purchaser of the goods can be attracted andheld. To this end merchandisers utilize displays at or adjacent to thepoint of sale in an effort to attract customers and consummate sales.The effectiveness of such displays is enhanced if the display isanimated, i.e., if the display has moving parts or at least establishesthe illusion of motion. Effective lighting can also increase the valueof the display and further value is obtained in certain instances if thelighting or the displays are colored. Rapidly changing lighting effectsalso enhance the attractiveness of the display.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention to provide animproved animated and illuminated display of the type set forth.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved display of thetype set forth in which the illusion of movement is created thereinwithout employing exterior moving parts which might be handled anddamaged by salesmen or customers.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is still an other object ofthe invention to provide a display in which the animation is obtained bymoving portions of the display by means of a heat motor driven by theheat from the light for the display.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improvedilluminated display in which the lighting effects appear to be movingcontinuously and dramatically; whereby more effectively to attract theattention of potential purchasers.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a display whereinthe illusion of rising bubbles can be obtained whereby to provide apleasing and eye-catching display.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in a display of thetype set forth an improved lens which together with a suitable lightsource gives the illusion of rapidly and dramatically changing the lightpresentation whereby to give added attraction to the display.

In connection with the foregoing object it is another object of theinvention to provide a lens system in cooperation with a lightreflecting and refracting system whereby external lighting enhances theanimated character of the display and in no wise detracts therefrom ashas been the case in certain prior displays.

A further object of the invention is to provide a faceted lens whichpresents an attractive and pleasing appearance in combination with amoving light reflecting surface both when the light source is betweenthe lens and the light reflecting surface and when the light source isdisposed in a position to shine through the lens and onto the lightreflecting surface.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is a still further object ofthe invention to provide an improved lens of the type set forth whereina unique and interesttor ing interplay is obtained when light sourcesare positioned both such as to shine through the lens onto thecooperating reflecting surface and to shine from a position intermediatethe lens and the reflecting surface.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description when taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals have been utilized to designate like parts throughout:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the top of a gasolinedispensing pump showing one form of an animated and illuminated displaymounted thereon and made in accordance with and embodying the principlesof the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view in vertical section through the display ofFIGURE 1 substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along theline 2-2 thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a view in horizontal section on an enlarged scale throughthe top of the display device of FIGURE 2 substantially as seen in thedirection of the arrows along the line 3-3 therein;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the rotor of the heat motor withthe light reflecting surface thereon and forming a part of the displaydevice;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the form of thefacets of the lens forming a part of the display of FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 6 is a view on a further enlarged scale illustrating theconstruction of the lens and illustrating more specifically a verticalsection thereof;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 showing another preferred form ofthe lens;

FIGURE 8 is a view on an enlarged scale illustrating the lightreflecting surface incorporated in the rotor of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 9 is a of the invention;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged view in vertical section. through the displayof FIGURE 9 substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows alongthe line 1010 thereof; and

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the lens facesubstantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line11-11 of FIGURE 10.

Referring first to FIGURES 1 through 8 of the drawings there is shownone preferred form of the invention embodied in a display devicegenerally designated by the numeral 20, the display device 20 beingmounted on the top of a gasoline dispensing pump 22. The purpose of thedisplay 20 is to advertise and attract purchasers to buy the gasolinedispensed through the pump 22. It will be seen that the display 20 hasbeen illustrated as being substantially globe shaped and provided withhorizontally extending bands 24- and 26 interconnected by verticallyextending bands 28. The intersection of the various bands 24, 26 and 28provide four surfaces 30.

Referring more specifically to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, it will be seenthat the display 20 includes an outer housing 34 formed of plastic whichis shaped exteriorly to simulate the globe seen in FIGURE 1 as has beendescribed above and including thereon the various decorations 24, 26 and28. The lower end of the housing 34 is provided with an inwardlydirected flange 36 which is plan view of a second preferred formadaptedto rest upon and be supported by an outwardly and upwardly extendingflange 38 which is mounted on the top of the gasoline pump 22. Alsomounted on the top of the gasoline pump 22 is a suitable electricalsocket 40 which receives therein a light bulb, for example, a 200 wattlight bulb to provide light and heat to illuminate and power the display20.

Each of the four surfaces 30 is provided on the inner surface thereofwith a curved lens generally designated by the numeral 44, theconstruction of the lens 44 being shown more clearly in FIGURES and 6 ofthe drawings. Each lens 44 includes a curved outer wall 46 which isdisposed toward the inner surface of the housing 34 and is suitablyattached thereto as at points 48. The periphery of the wall 46 has walls50 formed thereon and extending inwardly toward the center of thehousing 34. The inwardly directed edges of the walls 50 are joined by awall 52 which serves to close the lens 44 to provide a hollow spacetherein. Preferably all of the walls of the lens 44 are formed of asuitable transparent plastic material, a preferred form of plasticmaterial being the acrylic plastics. Any suitable thickness of theplastic material may be utilized as for example 30 gauge.

Formed in the surface of the wall 52 is a plurality of individual lensfacets 54. The lens facets 54 have been illustrated in FIGURE 5 as beingdiamond-shaped and are formed convexly and extend toward the center ofthe housing 34. Preferably the as portions of a sphere and have acurvature such that they have a focal length equal to the distance tothe light reflecting surface which will be described more fullyhereinafter.

The volume bounded by the walls 44, 50 and 52 is filled with a suitablelight transmitting fluid 56. In general any light transmitting fluid maybe utilized. For example the fluid 56 may be distilled water, a mixtureof water and alcohol, a mixture of water and glycerol, mineral oil, orthe like.

There is shown in FIGURE 7 of the drawings a second form of the housing34 in which the housing wall and the lens facets are all formed from asingle piece of plastic 58 which is solid from the decorated surface 60to the lens facets 62 thereof. The lens facets 62 are preferably formedsubstantially like the lens facets 54. It has been found that theconstruction of FIGURE 7 provides a good animated display.

Disposed within the housing 34 and substantially concentrically with thelens 44 is a light reflecting member generally designated by the numeral64. Preferably the surface of the light reflecting member 64 is formedof some good light reflecting material such as aluminum. Furthermore,preferably the light reflecting surface is formed of a plurality ofdiscrete light reflecting facets, each of the facets being disposed in adifferent plane than the immediately adjacent facets. An example of sucha material is shown in FIGURE 8 and is generally designated by thenumeral 66. The material 66 has a plurality of individual lightreflecting surfaces 68 which may be substantially flat or slightlycurved, the adjacent surfaces 68 all being disposed in slightlydifferent planes. The effect of the facets 68 is to break up lightfalling thereon and to reflect different intensities of light therefromdepending upon the orientation of the facets 68 with respect to thesource of illumination.

In forming the light reflecting member 64, the material 68 is preferablyshaped into vertically extending curved vanes 70 which are suitablysupported at the upper ends by a disc 72 (see FIGURE 2) and at the lowerends by a pair of annular members 74 and 76. The curved nature of thevanes 70 can be best seen in FIG- URE 4. It will also be seen that thevanes 7 0 are spaced apart although overlapping whereby to provide forcirculation of air therebetween for a purpose to be explained more fullyhereinafter. A suitable number of the vanes 70 may be provided aroundthe periphery of the light lens facets 54 are formed reflecting member64 to give the desired illuminated and animated effect.

It is desired to move the light reflecting member 64 and to this end itis mounted to rotate as the rotor of a heat motor. More specifically, aharp 7 8 is provided and is mounted at the lower end on a clamp 80. Theclamp is suitably fastened to the socket 40 for mounting thereon. Theharp 78 extends upwardly and around the light bulb 42 and carries on theupper end thereof a bearing 82 which rotatably supports the lightreflecting member 64 in cooperation with a bearing mounted on the disc'72. Heated air rising upwardly because of the heat issuing from thelight bulb 42 will pass between the vanes 70 and will react thereagainstto cause rotation of the light reflecting member 64 upon the bearing 82.

Further to insure continued operation of the heat motor formed by thelight bulb 42 and the vanes 70, the upper end 84 of the housing 34 isprovided with a plurality of openings 86 therein. The openings 86 permitescape of heated air whereby to insure substantially continuouscirculation of air through the housing 34 whereby to drive the rotor ofthe heat motor in the form of the light reflecting member 64. In orderto prevent rain and other unwanted material from falling through theopenings 86, a cover or hood 88 is mounted on the wall 84 by means of abolt 90, the hood 88 being spaced from the openings 86 to permit passageof air therethrough. The outer edge of the hood 88 is provided with adownturned flange 92 which is disposed radially outwardly from the wall84 whereby to insure that rain and other unwanted materials are excludedfrom the interior of the housing 34.

In order to operate the animated and illuminated display 20, it isnecessary only to mount the parts as shown in FIGURE 2 and energize thelight bulb 42. The light bulb 42 will heat the air surrounding it andthis air will pass upwardly and outwardly between the vanes 70 to reactagainst the vanes 70 and thus cause rotation of the light reflectingmember 64. The heated air passes upwardly through the openings 86 andoutwardly under the cover 88 to insure substantially continuouscirculation. The light from the bulb 42 will also shine against thefaceted surfaces of the vanes 70 and the light will be reflected fromthe surfaces of the vanes 70 outwardly through the various lenses 44.The light in passing through the lenses 44 will be refracted and themovement of the reflecting facets 68 in cooperation with the action ofthe lens facets 54 produces an unusual animated lighting effect. Thereis a continuous change and play of light through the lenses 44, thelight rapidly varying in intensity whereby to give a popping andrippling effect.

It has further been found that light shining upon the outer surface ofthe housing 34 will shine through the lens facets 54, fall upon thereflecting facets 68 and will be reflected and refracted back throughthe lens 44 to give an unusual lighted and animated display. As a resultexterior lighting can be used as well as interior lighting to provide anilluminated display 20. It is contemplated that some means other thanthe heat motor be utilized to drive the light reflecting member 64. Forexample a fractional horsepower electrical motor might be used to rotatemember 64 or some other source of motive power might be utilized torotate, vibrate or oscillate the light reflecting member 64.

A further unusual effect is obtained if both exterior lighting andinterior lighting are used with the display 20. There is an interplay oflight when both light sources are utilized which gives a unique andstartling illumination and animation of the display. Other pleasingeifects can be achieved by utilizing color in the display. For examplethe bands 24, 26 and 28 may be colored and formed opaque so that lightshines only through the surfaces 30. The surfaces 39 may be colored, asfor example, gold or yellow so that light passing therethrough iscolored. Alternatively colored light sources may be used with cleardisplay members or in the alternative the reflecting surfaces of thevanes 70 may be colored whereby to produce a pleasing colored display.

It is believed that the orientation of the lens facets 54 toward thelight reflecting member 64 so that the curved surfaces thereof extendtoward the member 64 is of importance in the present invention. Morespecifically, it is believed that the effectiveness of exterior lightingand the interplay achieved when both exterior and interior lighting areutilized result at least in part from such an orientation of thecurvature of the lens facets 54.

There is shown in FIGURES 9 through 11 of the drawings another preferredform of the present invention. More specifically, there is shown adisplay generally designated by the numeral 100 which is substantiallycircular as viewed in front elevation and may be considered cylindricalas viewed in perspective. The display 100 includes a housing generallydesignated by the numeral 102, a lens 104 mounted in the housing, acentral display member 106, a light reflecting member 108, a drive motor110 to drive the member 108 and a light source 112. Referringspecifically to FIGURE 10, it will be seen that the housing 102 issubstantially cylindrical in shape and includes a cylindrical wall 114which is closed at one end by an integral wall 116. The other end of thecylindrical wall 114 is substantially closed by the circular shaped lens104.

The lens 104 has been shown as being formed solid. The material ofconstruction of the lens 104 is preferably a suitable transparentplastic material and may be for example an acrylic plastic material. Theright hand surface 118 of the lens 104 as viewed in FIGURE may be formedsubstantially planar and the left hand surface is preferably providedwith a plurality of concavely formed diamond-shaped lens facets 120. Theshape of the lens facets 120 is best shown in FIGURE 11 of the drawings.Each lens facet 120 is preferably formed as a portion of a sphere andthe radius of curvature is such as to provide a focal length equal tothe distance to the light reflecting member 108. As is best seen inFIGURE 9 of the drawings the entire exposed surface of the lens 104 isprovided with the lens facets 120'.

There is provided in the center of the lens 120 the central displaymember 106 which is preferably formed of a translucent material. Themember 106 is preferably secured to the lens 104 and covers acylindrical opening 122 therein. As is best seen in FIGURE 10 theoutward l'y extending surface 124 of the member 106 may be curved andfurther may have some advertising indicia 126 either molded therein orprovided thereon.

Mounted on the inner wall of the member 106 is the motor 110 which maybe for example a fractional horsepower electric motor. The motor 110 isprovided with a drive shaft 126 which carries thereon a disc 128 held inposition by suitable nuts 130 and washers 132. Mounted on the surface ofthe disc 128 disposed toward the lens 104 is a light reflecting material134 having light reflecting surfaces 136. The material 154 may beidentical to the material 66 described above and functions in the samemanner.

' Also mounted on the inner wall of the member 106 is the light source112 in the form of a suitable electric light bulb. The light from source112 falls upon the light reflecting surface 136 of the light reflectingmember 108 and is reflected back toward and through the lens 104. Thepresence of the lens facets 120 together with the discrete reflectingsurfaces or facets 136 produces an unusual and attractive display oflight. The parts can be arranged so that the illusion of bubbles isobtained due to the rapidly changing light intensities at the variousfacets 120.

External light falling upon the lens 104 will pass therethrough and befocused upon the light reflecting member 108 by the lens facets 120.This light will then be reflected and refracted through the lens asecond time whereby to give an animated and interesting light displaythrough the lens 104. If the internal light source 112 is also inoperation, there is an interesting interplay of light.

If desired, color may be added to the display. The member 106 may becolored for example red. The lens 104 may be colored a contrasting coloror in the alternative the light source 112 or the external light sourcemay be colored. Also if desired, the light reflecting surfaces 136 maybe colored to enhance the attractive display.

It will be seen that there has been provided display devices whichfulfill all of the objects and advantages set forth above. Although twopreferred forms of the invention have been shown and described forpurposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changesand modifications can be made therein without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limitedonly as set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A display device comprising a housing, a light reflecting membermounted within said housing, said housing including a lens member foradmitting light into said housing from the exterior thereof and out ofsaid housing from the interior thereof so that light from said lightreflecting member reaches a viewer only after passing through said lensmember, said lens member including a plurality of individual lens facetshaving sharp boundaries therebetween and substantially covering thesurface of said lens member disposed toward said light reflectingmember, said light reflecting member including a plurality of individuallight reflecting facets having sharp bounda ries therebetween andsubstantially covering the surface of said light reflecting memberdisposed toward said lens member, each individual light reflecting facetbeing substantially planar and adjacent light reflecting facets beingarranged so that each light reflecting facet is disposed nonparallel toand at an angle with respect to each adjacent light reflecting facet,and means for moving said lens member and said light reflecting memberrelative to each other to cause light from the interior of said housingto be reflected from said light reflecting facets through said lensfacets to the exterior of said housing and to cause light shining fromthe exterior of said housing through said lens facets to be reflectedfrom said light reflecting facets out again through said lens facets tothe exterior of said housing, whereby upon relative movement of saidlens member and said light reflecting member said display device iseffective to provide a striking interplay of light when lighted byinterior lighting and when lighted by exterior lighting and when lightedby both interior and exterior lighting.

2. A display device comprising a housing, a light reflecting membermounted within said housing, said housing including a lens member foradmitting light into said housing from the exterior thereof and out ofsaid housing from the interior thereof, said lens member including aplurality of individual lens facets having sharp boundaries therebetweenand substantially covering the surface of said lens member disposedtoward said light reflecting member, said lens facets being formedconvex and adjacent lens facets having different centers of curvature,said light reflecting member including a plurality of individual lightreflecting facets having sharp boundaries therebetween and substantiallycovering the surface of said light reflecting member disposed towardsaid lens member, each individual light reflecting facet beingsubstantially planar and adjacent light reflecting facets being arrangedso that each light reflecting facet is disposed nonparallel to and at anangle with respect to each adjacent light reflecting facet, the distancebetween each lens facet and the nearest light reflecting facet beingequal substantially to the focal length of said lens facets, and meansfor moving said lens member and said light reflecting member relative toeach other to cause light from the interior of said housing to bereflected from said light reflecting facets to the exterior of saidhousing and to cause light shining from the exterior of said housingthrough said lens facets to be reflected from said light reflectingfacets out again through said lens facets to the exterior of saidhousing, whereby upon relative movement of said lens member and saidlight reflecting member said display device is effective to provide astriking interplay of light when lighted by interior lighting and whenlighted by exterior lighting and when lighted by both interior andexterior lighting.

3. A display device comprising a base, a housing mounted on said baseand formed substantially as a hollow globe extending upwardly from saidbase, a light reflecting member mounted within said housing and shapedsubstantially complementary to said housing and spaced therefrom, saidhousing including a lens member for admitting light into said housingfrom the exterior thereof and out of said housing from the interiorthereof, said lens member including a plurality of individual lensfacets having sharp boundaries therebetween and substantially coveringthe surface of said lens member disposed toward said light reflectingmember, said light reflecting member including a plurality of vanesoverlapping circumferentially and spaced radially from each other toprovide space therebetween, each of said vanes having a plurality ofindividual light reflecting facets on both surfaces thereof, said lightreflecting facets having sharp boundaries therebetween and substantiallycovering both surfaces of each of said vanes, 21 light source mountedwithin said light reflecting member so that light can be reflected fromfacing surfaces of said vanes to be reflected from the interior of saidlight reflecting member to the exterior thereof and through said lensmember while said light source is completely covered and hidden fromview by said vanes, and means for moving said light reflecting memberand said lens reflecting member with respect to each other to causelight from said light source to be reflected outwardly by said vanes andfrom said light reflecting facets visible from the exterior thereofthrough said lens facets to the exterior of said housing and to causelight shining from the exterior of said housing through said lens facetsto be reflected from said light reflecting facets out again through saidlens facets to the exterior of said housing, whereby said display deviceis eifective upon relative movement of said lens member and said lightreflecting member to provide a striking interplay of light when lightedby said lighting source and when lighted by exterior lighting and whenlighted by both said lighting source and exterior lighting.

4. A display device comprising a base, a housing mounted on said baseand formed substantially as a hollow globe extending upwardly from saidbase, a light reflecting member rotatably mounted within said housingfor rotation with respect thereto and shaped subtanstially complementarythereto and spaced therefrom, said housing including a plurality of lensmembers disposed therearound to admit light into said housing from theexterior thereof around substantially the entire circumference thereofand out of said housing from the interior thereof around substantiallythe entire circumference thereof, each of said lens members being formedsubstantially as a segment of a sphere and including a plurality ofindividual lens facets having sharp boundaries therebetween andsubstantially covering the surface of said lens members disposed towardsaid light reflecting member, said light reflecting member including aplurality of vanes overlapping circumferentially and spaced radiallyfrom each other to provide space therebetween, each of said vanes havinga plurality of individual light reflecting facets on both surfacesthereof, said light reflecting facets having sharp boundariestherebetween and substantially covering both surfaces of each of saidvanes, a light source mounted within said light reflecting member sothat light can be reflected from facing surfaces of said vanes to bereflected from the interior of said light reflecting member to theexterior thereof and through said lens members while said light sourceis completely covered and hidden from view by said vanes, and means formoving said light reflecting member with respect to said lens members tocause light from said light source to be reflected outwardly by saidvanes and from said light reflecting facets visible from the exteriorthereof through said lens facets to the exterior of said housing tocause light shining from the exterior of said housing through said lensfacets to be reflected from said light reflecting facets out againthrough said lens facets to the exterior of said housing, whereby saiddisplay device is effective upon rotation of said light reflectingmember to provide a striking interplay of light when lighted by saidlighting source and when lighted by exterior lighting and when lightedby both said lighting source and exterior lighting.

5. A display device comprising a base, a housing mounted on said baseand formed substantially as a hollow globe extending upwardly from saidbase, a light reflecting member rotatably mounted within said housingfor rotation with respect thereto and shaped substantially complementarythereto and spaced therefrom, said housing including a plurality of lensmembers disposed therearound to admit light into said housing from theexterior thereof around substantially the entire circumference thereofand out of said housing from the interior thereof around substantiallythe entire circumference thereof, each of said lens members being formedsubstantially as a segment of a sphere and including a plurality ofindividual lens facets having sharp boundaries therebetween andsubstantially covering the surface of said lens members disposed towardsaid light reflecting member, said light reflecting member including aplurality of vanes overlapping circumferentially and spaced radiallyfrom each other to provide space therebetween, each of said vanes havinga plurality of individual light reflecting facets on both surfacesthereof, said light reflecting facets having sharp boundariestherebetween and substantially covering both surfaces of each of saidvanes, a light source mounted within said light reflecting member sothat light can be reflected from facing surfaces of said vanes to bereflected from the interior of said light refleeting member to theexterior thereof and through said lens member while said light source iscompletely covered and hidden from view by said vanes, said housinghaving openings in the upper end thereof to receive therethrough airheated by said light source, the air heated by said light source movingfrom the vicinity of said light source through and against said vanesand through said openings to cause said light reflecting member torotate with respect to said housing, rotation of said light reflectingmember with respect to said housing causing light from said light sourceto be reflected outwardly by said vanes and from said light reflectingfacets visible from the exterior thereof through said lens facets to theexterior of said housing and to cause light shining from the exterior ofsaid housing through said lens facets to be reflected from said lightreflecting facets out again through said lens facets to the exterior ofsaid housing, whereby said display device is effective upon rotation ofsaid light refleeting member to provide a striking interplay of lightwhen lighted by said lighting source and when lighted by exteriorlighting and when lighted by both said lighting source and exteriorlighting.

6. The display device set forth in claim 5, wherein the lens members areformed solid with the lens facets on the surface thereof disposed towardsaid light reflecting member.

7. The display device set forth in claim 5, wherein said lens membersare formed from two spaced apart walls defining a liquid tight volumehaving a light transmitting liquid therebetween, the one of said wallsdisposed toward said light reflecting member having the lens facetsformed therein.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Gritt May 22, 1928 Holzman Sept. 22, 1931 5 GrittFeb. 2, 1932 Morrison Apr. 19, 1932 Adams Sept. 20, 1932 Newman July 11,1933 10 Coflin Sept. 26, 1933 Barclay Nov. 28, 1933 Evans Apr. 30, 1940Hotchner Mar. 13, 1945 Kunins Sept. 4, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS GreatBritain June 5, 1924

